Member Comments for the Article:

''Helping Others Reminds Me Where I Was''

Keeping the Weight Off with SparkPeople Member SUEBEE42

11 Comments

I reached my goal in April 2013 and gradually added back in calories. I also started a more intensive exercise program and ended up losing another 20 pounds. Still track my food and exercise as that works for me and by now is second nature. Funnily enough I'm at 2,000 calories/day for maintenance which was where I set my calorie goal when I started!
- 7/6/2015 9:12:40 PM

Great info, thank you! I am approaching my goal weight and I have been thinking hard about maintenance. It isn't that I am afraid to add back calories but I have swallowing issues and it is hard for me to eat more than what I already do. But I am sure I will manage. I am also working more on strength training and trying to ease back a little on the cardio. It's a work in progress - my body might be at a good weight but I still need to tone/firm and stay fit!
- 8/20/2013 9:22:20 PM

Thank you so much for sharing! You have reinforced that it is necessary to do what I have been doing so very much-struggling-particularly with raising the calorie level. It helps so much to not only read recommendations, but hear from those for whom it works!
- 5/15/2011 8:09:30 AM

Congratulations on your sucess. I am also a Sue who is doing maintenance. At first I thought it almost seemed harder than the weight loss phase but I've just increased my exercise as well as my calories and am doing OK.
- 7/7/2010 12:56:44 AM

I really liked this article. I recently reached my weight loss goal and I have really been struggling with the increase in calories. I was so stressed about increasing my calories and gaining all of my weight back, so this article really comforted me. Hopefully I can slowly increase my calories and stop stressing about gaining weight! Thanks for this!
- 6/5/2010 11:58:56 AM

I changed jobs a year ago from an active retail job to a more sedentary design job... and have been struggling! I slipped on my eating habits, too, and as a result have gained 25 lbs back. But it ENDS NOW! I'm back to tracking my food, and I WILL lose it again in 2010! This time FOR GOOD.

So, I haven't failed... you only fail when you give up! I have just realized I am human, and I need to be sure I keep up the healthy eating habits along with the exercise (which I never stopped doing). :)

I didn't feel right letting this article stand while I am not maintaining at this very moment.

As my grandmother would say, "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!" At least I am not starting at square one, eh? ;) Best of luck to everyone on reaching their goals! :D
- 1/5/2010 4:48:04 PM

I will very soon be in the maintenance mode and this article is so helpful. There is a certain amount of anxiety about adding calories and not knowing what the results will be. Thank you for sharing your experience and giving me new hope that I don't have to regain that 50 lbs that was so hard to lose!
- 9/26/2009 9:19:56 AM

Nicely said, Sue. I hadn't thought about maintenance until reading this and suddenly realized I am 8 lbs. from goal! But my original goal was to lose 50 lbs., but later decided I may stop at 40 since I will get so wrinkly considering my age. (And I can't afford plastic surgery,) I am just going to play it by ear and see how I look with 8 more lbs. gone. Thanks for the great tips.
- 11/29/2008 7:53:45 PM

Great, Sue. I'm reading "SHRINK YOURSELF" by ROGER GOULD, M.D. who is head of psychology at UCLA Medical Center. He deals with emotional eating and how the stress of life can cause us to regain weight. I'm thrilled that you are NOT doing that.
- 4/15/2008 2:32:20 PM

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